Sparklers!

Sorry about the dead air around here lately, everyone! Summer has taken off faster and been busier than I expected. I'll try to remedy my absence.

Last weekend was our family reunion. On Friday night my cousin-in-law, Ben, set off fireworks and lit sparklers for the kids. I knew I had to run to my car and get my camera - everyone was being so photogenic. 

The kids had to line up to receive their sparklers. Elinor was a bit wary of the flying sparks.

What have you been up to lately? Any big plans for the summer?

Winter Walk

Last weekend, my brother-in-law told about some awesome frost that he had seen on his cross-country ski run. Of course I wanted to photograph it. 

So I convinced Reuben to trek out with me. It was a lovely day and the frosty trees were beautiful. 

Reuben got sick of waiting around while I snapped pictures from a million different angles, so he and Helen headed home. But as I walked back, I heard someone quietly say "boo." And there they were, hiding behind a tree, waiting to scare me. Silly-heads.

By the way, most of these photos were taken with my newly acquired iPhone 5S. I love love love its camera capabilities.

You can always see more of my iPhone photos on Instagram.

Best Face Photo of 2013

I had a hard time deciding on a favorite face photo this year (What can I say? I love every photo of Helen), but this one is just so sweet.

On Easter Sunday, Susan (11 months old at the time) got to "hold" little Helen (2 months old at the time). I love the look on Susan's face. And their little dresses are adorable. Paints a pretty calm picture of these little rascals.

Make sure to stop by I Heart Faces to see more entries for "Best Face Photo of 2013" HERE.

11 Months

My apologies for my hiatus in blogging. It was unintended. We got really busy (visiting my sister who lives over 3 hours away and going to visit my family 4 days in a row while our house was freezing cold). Plus, Reuben's computer died so I've been sharing mine with him.

Anyway, here's what's new with Helen this month:

• She knows three signs really well: up, please, and milk (see THIS video for proof). She occasionally signs for "more" when she's really desperate for something.
• She's also trying to say more words. She says "up" (with a silent p) accompanied by the sign when she wants to be picked up. And I *think* she's trying to say "teddy" and "daddy."
• She has four teeth now! Three on the bottom and one on the top. She was SUPER cranky when her top one was busting through. 
• I taught Helen how to drink from a straw the other day. She also uses a sippy cup and she actually drank from a bottle (she has hated using a bottle up to this point).
• Reuben pulled out his old teddy bear for Helen. She loves it. She'll rest her head on him and coo "Ooooh" -- it's pretty adorable. 
• She's more actively playing peek-a-boo now. She'll raise and lower a blanket and grin, or put her hands behind her head to play (why do little kids NEVER put their hands in the right spot when they play peek-a-boo?!).
• She's also learning to use objects for their intended purpose. The other day I handed her my comb to play with, and to my surprise she tried to comb her hair. And when I was sweeping the floor she found a little plastic golf putter and tried to sweep my dirt. Melted my heart. 
• She also loves to throw balls (or grapefruits) onto the floor and watch them roll (see THIS video).
• Helen knows where my nose is (she points to it when I ask her). Now to teach her where her own nose is...
• She's FINALLY warming up to food. When I'm eating something, she really wants a taste. I made her some ice cream (grass-fed cream, maple syrup and a splash of vanilla). And she loves her pickles (see this and this photo). She still nurses for most of her nutrition, but I'm hoping to transition to more solids.

And that's all I have for this month.

Have a lovely day!

Erica

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 26, 27, 28 + 29

Day 26: I tried a healthier prepackaged ramen. It was pretty good, but needed salt.

Day 27: Cinnamon rolls are best fresh from the oven.

Day 28: Since my sister and her husband (who live over 3 hours away) couldn't be here for Christmas, we decided to wait to open presents until they could make it.

Day 29: Happiness = a bit of leftover wrapping paper.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 24 + 25

My family had a Christmas Eve party for the family. Helen enjoyed playing with the cousins.

We spent Christmas Day with Reuben's family. The brunch was delicious: ham & egg cups, French toast, sausages, oranges, Rommegrot (made by yours truly), and orange juice.

Little Bella is already changing and getting a double chin. She has such nice hair (no fair).

The kids got minion hats (from Despicable Me). Helen got an evil minion hat - I thought it was quite fitting. ;) I'll have to get a picture of all of them wearing their hats.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 21, 22 + 23

Day 21: I forgot to take a photo until dark, so Reuben offered to shine a flashlight on the trees outside our door. I really liked the eerie effect.

Day 22: My sister had her baby! Audra went into labor last Sunday, but it stalled. One week later, little Bella arrived safe and sound.

Day 23: Helen climbed into the corner cupboard, but couldn't get herself out again. It was hilarious. I'm such a bad mom. ;)

10 Months + Photo-a-Day: Days 17 + 18

Helen is 10 months old!

Here’s what’s new this month:

• She started walking! At just a week or so shy of 10 months, she really took off. Here and here are videos to prove it.
• She learned how to point at things. It’s fun to see her pointing at animals in books and at people.
• She’s learning how to use signs as well. I taught her the sign for when she wants to nurse. It’s nice to know for sure what she wants.
• She’s learning knew words as well. She says “Bye-bye” and waves, uh-oh (see this video for proof), and hot (pronounced with a silent H) for sure. She probably says other things that I don’t recognize yet.
• She’s sleeping through the night. Hallelujah! She still fusses a bit in the middle of the night, but she’ll put herself back to sleep. We started sleep training her a few nights ago, and it only took about a night and a half for her to figure it out.

And now for the photo-a-day pictures:

Day 17: Cousin Susan loves to give Helen kisses. So sweet!

Day 18: Helping Dad! I love the look of concentration on her face.

2 Responses to 10 Months + Photo-a-Day: Days 17 + 18

1. Cait 
   December 19th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
   She is so tiny to be walking! It’s adorable. My Jacqueline was just past her first birthday, and even she looked like a baby doll walking around.
2. Linda 
   December 19th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
   Congratulations to Helen! Her concentration is a real marvel–where there’s a will there’s a way, and will she has! What a sweetheart.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 14, 15 + 16

Hello friends!

Did you have a good weekend? I thought my sister was going to have her baby yesterday, but it all came to naught.

The last photo is a bit of a cheat – Reuben offered to take a picture of my hair when he saw me struggling to get a shot in the bathroom.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 12 + 13

So sorry I missed posting yesterday, guys! I was watching my sister’s kids while she and her husband went on a date yesterday afternoon/evening.

Day 12: Helen has been obsessed with walking the past few days. It was funny and amazing to see her so determined to learn how to walk. She taught herself how to stand up without assistance and was toddling around crazily. I can’t believe I’m already the mother of a “toddler!” You can see a short clip of her walking here (I’ll post a better video when I write up her ten month update).

A delicious breve (breve > latte) made by my bro-in-law. Yummy.

2 Responses to December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 12 + 13

1. Rachel 
   December 15th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
   Awww, so sweet! How old is she now? :)
   Mmmm, breve’s are the best! *clinks coffee cup to yours*
   Blessings & Grace,
   Rachel
   {http://mysunkissedfarm.wordpress.com/}
2. Erica Lea 
   December 16th, 2013 at 1:13 am
   Rachel: She just turned 10 months on Friday. :) Yeah, I’m kind of addicted to cream – lattes seem much less flavorful now.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 8 + 9

Hello everyone! No, I didn’t forget to post a photo yesterday. I just decided that posting every day was a bit overwhelming for y’all, so I’ll be posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the rest of this month.

Day 8: This is my favorite way to eat grapefruit. It takes a bit of effort, but it’s so worth it.

Day 9: Helen is finally starting to get over her separation anxiety (now I jinxed it) and she’s warming up to other people. She loves her daddy and smiles and “jumps” up and down when she sees him.

2 Responses to December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 8 + 9

1. Kristina F 
   December 9th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
   Oh, yes, I love grapefruit like that!
   Helen is so adorable. :)
2. Erica Lea 
   December 16th, 2013 at 1:13 am
   Kristina: Thank you! I love her so much. :)

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Day 1

Hey everyone!

I have decided to give myself a little push with my photography and do a photo-a-day this December. I’m not sure yet whether or not I’ll be uploading a photo every day. We’ll see how it goes.

Today’s photo is of Reuben’s uncle reading in a cozy chair.

Reuben’s family hosted a big get-together over the weekend. It was fun to see everyone, but now I’m quite tired out from running after Helen. :)

2 Responses to December Photo-a-Day 2013: Day 1

1. Elizabeth 
   December 2nd, 2013 at 9:29 am
   This is a beautiful photo. The lighting is perfect. I’d love to see your photos everyday.
2. Erica Lea 
   December 16th, 2013 at 1:16 am
   Aw, thanks, Elizabeth! :D

7 Months Old!

Helen is seven months old today!

This little rascal is getting into all sorts of trouble lately. She’s an expert at crawling now and loves to explore everywhere. But particularly in the most inconvenient places. Like the trash can.

I can’t believe that she’s already starting to pull up to standing. The other day I was sitting next to her, reading the manual for my new (old) sewing machine. When I looked up, she had pulled herself up onto the window. She’s definitely a very motivated baby.

One awesome thing she’s started doing: going to bed early and sleeping through the night. She still wakes up at 3:00 sometimes, but mostly she’ll sleep from 9 PM to 5 AM. I usually just feed her and put her back in the crib (or keep her in bed with us if I’m too lazy or want some cuddling).

I decided to remove all of the breakable jars from the bottom of this bookshelf and set up a play station for her. She can sit and play by herself for quite a while now (if she’s in a good mood). Hallelujah!!

But I still need to keep an eye on her.

She was contentedly playing with her spatula the other day while I was trying to tidy up our pigsty house. Everything went quiet. I quickly moved in to check on Helen. She had something squishy in her hands. Turns out it was a tiny dead frog.

I had a bit of a freak out moment.

“Aaaahghljkjsdk!! — It’s okay honey. It’s okay. — Gaaaaaah ewewewewew!!”

Later that same day I left her in the bedroom for a moment. I saw her eagerly crawling towards something out of my sight and decided I should investigate. She was just starting to pick up a (very dirty) diaper that I had forgotten to toss into the diaper pail. Thankfully I caught her before she could shove her hand into it. Grossgrossgross.

“Can you believe she’s almost seven months old?” I asked Reuben last night.

“That was a LONG seven months,” he replied.

And it has been.

It’s been a crazy hard adventure.

But it’s so rewarding. I love this little girlie more than I can tell. It’s so much fun to see her personality start to show.

I have continued to take a picture of Helen once a week. It will be fun to put the pictures together into a collage on her first birthday.

Here she is from 0-7 months old.

Little dolly.

Have a lovely day!

Erica

4 Responses to 7 Months Old!

1. Gabby 
   September 13th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
   Haha! She is just so adorable! And looks so sneaky! Such a great idea to take the photos, bet it will be a lovely collage later! =)
   Wishing you a nice weekend! =)
2. Anna 
   September 14th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
   Aw, she’s lovely! And SO up to no good in the first picture :) I’m glad to read that she’s sleeping through the nights and that you’re getting some sleep, from what I’ve gathered you had a rough start.
   I had a similar frog-episode with Malva when she was about 9 months, our cat had dragged in a mouse and laid it beside her, as a gift I presume.. when she was sitting on the kitchen floor up in our summerhouse in Sweden. I totally freaked out to say the least.. :)
   Have a great weekend!
   Anna
3. Cait 
   September 17th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
   What a sweet face! I have the same chevron sheet on my daughter’s crib right now. I had bought fabric to make one and then realized it was only $2 more to buy it at Target, so I returned the fabric :)
   Every two months or so it seemed my baby reached a new turning point. 2 months and 6 months especially were like night and day from before. It gets easier! A lot easier, but then you have to start training them :)
4. kelli 
   October 18th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
   she makes the cutest faces! happy to have stumbled upon your blog via a leaf garland search.=)

My Year in Photos 2012 Part 2

And at long last, the second half of my 2012 year in photos…

See the first half here.

July

I had the privilege of photographing the C family kids. They are so photogenic.

My Kitchen Garden flourished.

We had a huge storm that knocked over many trees.

We spent a few weekends at the cabin.

Fun times at the family reunion.

Baby Susan gets more adorable each day.

August

More fun times at the other family reunion.

September

We finally announced to the world that we are expecting!

I had so much fun doing a mini session with my sister-in-law. See more photos on her blog here.

Elinor turned four.

Here I am at 20 weeks.

October

We had a beautiful first snow. Read more about it here.

I shot the C Family and my sister’s family.

Here I am at 24 weeks.

November

My favorite kind of day.

Frosty Morning.

Here I am at 28 weeks.

December

Good times ice skating. I chose not to skate because of the risk of falling.

Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.

Christmas Morning.

Here I am at 33 weeks. I got very sick with a stomach bug, so I was unable to post at my regular 4-week interval.

And there you have our year in photos! It’s hard to believe that 2012 has already come to a close and that we’re so close to embarking on a new adventure as parents.

If you’d like to see my previous years in photos, follow the links below.

2011: PART 1 | PART 2

2010: PART 1 | PART 2

Here’s to a marvelous 2013!

3 Responses to My Year in Photos 2012 Part 2

1. Raelyn Nichole 
   January 17th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
   What a nice post series! I really enjoyed “seeing” your 2012. Your sister’s husband looks an awful lot like Reuben. Are they brothers?
   -Raelyn Nichole
2. Sarah G. 
   January 18th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
   Raelyn I was wondering the same thing! They sure do look a lot alike. Fun pictures!
3. Erica Lea 
   January 19th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
   Raelyn & Sarah: Yes, my sister and I married brothers. It will be fun to see how similar/different our kids look. :)